ECLIPSES

In the past, Eclipse events caused great fear in people.  In many civilizations, an "observable" Eclipse was considered to be a bad omen.  The Solar Eclipse was especially feared. This fear was most likely created because an actual Solar Eclipse will seldom be viewed more than once in a lifetime in any one specific locale.  We now know that Eclipses (Solar and Lunar combined) actually occur 4 - 7 times each year, even though we may not always see them.  To learn more about some of the myths of the past, visit Lunar Lore: Eclipses Through the Ages by Wil Milan.

An eclipse occurs when one object gets in front of another, obstructing our view of the farther object. So if your spouse gets in front of the television, it could be said that he/she is eclipsing the television (ha ha). We usually associate the term Eclipse with one planet obscuring our view of an outer planet in the sky. In the case of a Lunar Eclipse, it is the Earth (us) blocking the light of the Sun's reflection upon the Moon during a Full Moon event. An eclipse can be total or partial, depending on how the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned. The shadow that is created by an eclipse has two parts: the umbra, or total shadow; and the penumbra, or partial shadow. Note the dates of Eclipse types at the bottom of this page.

Eclipse Basics:

If you don't learn anything else from this piece, please remember this. A Lunar Eclipse cannot occur without a Solar Eclipse occurring within two weeks (either before the Lunar Eclipse or after the Lunar Eclipse.) The Eclipses - Lunar and Solar - ALWAYS happen as a pair. More people are familiar with seeing a Lunar Eclipse because the night sky makes the viewing of the lunar event possible from just about anywhere on the world regardless of where the Lunar Eclipse is occurring. Solar Eclipses are harder to observe; require special equipment and/or eye protection to watch it and being in the "right place at the right time." A Solar Eclipse is the Moon blocking the Sun's rays onto the Earth and a Lunar Eclipse is the Earth blocking the Sun's rays to the Moon from reflecting back to the Earth. The next time you ask about the date of the "Eclipse" be sure to indicate which one you are asking about; the Lunar Eclipse or the Solar Eclipse.

Ecliptic Patterns:

Eclipses, Solar and Lunar, occur through a series of consecutive Ecliptic events that follow a pattern. Perhaps the better term would be sequence. The series can be tracked over time from beginning to end. Yes, each Eclipse series, or sequence, has a birth time and a death time. And like many living organisms, even the series have families that link them generationally. The fact of the matter is, that their cycles are extensive, lasting over one thousand years. Each Eclipse cycle, known as a Saros Series, occurs for approximately 1300 years. Since the life of each Saros is trackable as each of the connecting Eclipses cycle through time, it is logical to expect that each subsequent Eclipse event, as a result of the initial Saros birth, is an expansion upon the original Ecliptic arrival. The unique energies of the original event carry on for the life of each particular Saros Series. Essentially, the Saros is the "name" given to a new eclipse sequence.

In Astronomy, each of the current Saros Series have been individually numbered (named) and tracked. In Astrology, we break from this tradition. Instead, the Eclipses are linked together as a family (cluster) of events that occur as a group approximately 18 years apart. Eclipse families always consist of four or more members. Each member will present an Eclipse during that family's Eclipse Season, depending on whether it originated as a Solar Eclipse or a Lunar Eclipse. That family will not put on another show for 18+ years. If one of the Eclipse family member's is dying out, another will begin being initiated into the family. We see this transition occurring while there are more than four eclipses (two solar and two lunar) during any one Eclipse season. For concise and technical explanations of the Eclipse from the astronomical perspective, visit the NASA Eclipse site that is linked below. In Astronomy, the new birth will be given a new number, i.e. next new Saros number for a Solar Eclipse will be 156 given to an eclipse that will be born on  July 1, 2011 and it will eventually replace Saros 118, which will sequentially appear with 156 until July 15, 2083 when Saros 118 will finally cease to exist. The currently existing Saros number for Solar Eclipses are 117 to 155.  The existing Saros number for Lunar Eclipses are 109 to 149.  This can get quite confusing if you give don't define whether the Eclipse is Solar or Lunar since Saros 117 to 149 can be either a Solar Eclipse or a Lunar Eclipse only they are totally different, with different birth times and ends.  Astrology uses the number 1 to 19 with an S or N to indicate which hemisphere the eclipse originated in. You can see the comparisons and use of the two numbering systems in the table below.

There is always, at the minimum, one eclipse season (family) per calendar year. When there is more, it is due to the shift of the Eclipse season over time, since the "Season" is approximately 350 days long. Because of this, it is quite possible to have two families of Eclipses present themselves within the 365.25-day calendar year. We last saw this shift occurring during the calendar years of 2000 and 2001.  The next time we will see this shift occur will be between 2011 and 2018.  

There are 19 Eclipse families present and accounted for. On the Solar side, there is one from the North and one from the South. The same holds true for the Lunar side with one from the North and one from the South. A Solar Eclipse and a Lunar Eclipse may share the same Series number, but each will be distinctly different, having originated at vastly different times and circumstances. Rose Lineman, in her book, "Eclipse Interpretation Manual" (1986), compiled information based on her extensive research of the subject. With the exception of a few minor errors, she was able to track the majority of the Solar Eclipses and describe their characteristics. She did not include the Lunar Eclipses but still provides excellent advice on the overall topic. I have included the astrological series numbers below.

Lunar Eclipse:

A Lunar Eclipse will only be observed during a Full Moon and is caused by the Moon passing into the total shadow of the Earth; the umbra. A partial eclipse can occur when the Moon passes through only a portion of the umbra. Another type of partial eclipse is a penumbral eclipse.  This is the result of the Moon passing through a partial shadow cast by the Earth; the penumbra. During a penumbral eclipse, we may not even see the effects of the eclipse.  The color of the Moon may change a little without much else being noticeable to the human eye. Not a very dramatic effect. The neat aspect of a total eclipse, or even a partial eclipse, is the fact that anyone in the world can see it if the eclipse occurs while it is dark (and cloudless) in their portion of the world.

Solar Eclipse:

A Solar Eclipse will only be observed during a New Moon. In basic terms, this is when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun.  As the Moon becomes aligned between the Earth and the Sun, it is capable of blocking the Sun's rays and casting a shadow on the Earth. Solar Eclipses will only be observed within a narrow zone or band on the Earth.  Even though the Sun is massive, in comparison to the Moon, the Moon will appear to be almost as large as the Sun because it is much closer to the Earth and capable of totally blocking the Sun's rays for a very short amount of time.  This is why a total Solar Eclipse can be viewed only from certain areas (in the direct path of the eclipse).  The Moon is not fixed in distance from the Earth, so we are more likely to observe an annular (appears smaller than the Sun) or most likely to observe a partial eclipse. Almost like the total Solar Eclipse, an annular eclipse is observed when there is a thin strip of light from the Sun surrounding the Moon. The effect is very awe-inspiring to see. A partial Solar Eclipse is noted when the Moon obstructs only a section of the Sun, giving the appearance of a crescent.  (Note - never look at a Solar Eclipse without proper protective eye covering to prevent blindness from occurring. Sunglasses are not strong enough to protect your eyes from the powerful rays during a Solar Eclipse. On the other hand, a Lunar Eclipse is always safe to look at without damaging your eyes.)

Solar Eclipse Maps 2000 - 2005

Read about the astrology factor of the Eclipses in relation to your natal chart.
Solar Eclipses through the houses        Lunar Eclipses through the houses

A list of recent and future Lunar and Solar Eclipses can be found below. Additional information, including maps of where the Eclipses can be observed is found at: Eclipses Looking for more Eclipse information to gnaw on? Read this excellent piece about Stonehenge and the potential prediction of Eclipse Patterns. Ancient Predictions of Eclipses